Run Walk Repeat

A Fun Life At All Paces

Taking Care of Your Feet with The X Brace….Review and GIVEAWAY

by


Disclosure: I was provided a pair of The X Brace for review and 4 pair to giveaway to my readers.  All opinions stated are my own.  

If you see me in person, you will never see me in non-sensible shoes.  As someone who has suffered with Plantar Faciitis and Posterior Tibial Tendinitis, I have sentenced myself to only shoes with good support based on advice from my podiatrist and sports med docs.  I cannot walk around our house barefoot without noticing something flaring up nor can I wear sandals without heel straps or flip flops without suffering the consequences.  It was with serious interest I discovered The X Brace and couldn’t wait to try it out.

Built by doctors, its a very simple design, supporting your foot and heel.  Extremely light weight and very easy to put on, much easier than the Athletic Tape I have used.

Info from The X Brace Web Site :

Band around foot then X Support to Heel Straps.

I LOVED the way it supported my foot and heel.  I wore with with all kinds of shoes and the heel band stayed on my foot – no matter the type of shoe or if I was barefoot.  I wore the brace with Athletic shoes, loafers, clogs, flip flops and my Ugg like boots.  I thought the heel strap would slip but it did not, ever, even when I ran with them on.  So easy to put on too, you just slide The X Brace on and wrap slide the strap around your heel.  There is silicone in the heel strap to help keep it in place.  The heel strap is GREAT for barefoot or when you are wearing shoes with little support in the back.

I wore The X Brace on 3 short training runs 2-3 miles.   The first two I have to admit I felt the band around my foot and it seemed as if the seam where the band is sewn together was RIGHT at my foot strike point.  My third try, it was better as I took my Superfeet out of my shoes and used the insoles that came with the shoe.  I was wearing New Balance 840 v2 which have some support for the arch built in and maybe I had too much support going on with the Superfeet which contain very little cushion themselves.

X Brace Top view of Foot

Admission here, because I have a half marathon in 2 weeks and March, I did not try them on my long runs.  I didn’t want to introduce anything new to my routine , so I will continue my feet taping for the long runs through March when I have a second half marathon.  I will continue to experiment on the shorter runs with The X Brace and if I can find the discomfort I experienced gone, I will switch from tape as that just adds to workout time and I LOVED being able to just slip this brace.  Taping is such  a time consuming process sometimes, especially when it won’t stick on my sweaty feet.

Great info on packaging how to use – its so simple really.  Basically it advises to ease into your wear for shorter periods of time which I would guess is so feet and tendons can get used to the support.  Also gives you contact info, I have found they are super responsive. 

NOTE:  If you are having issues and managing them with some overnight device, note, this product is NOT for overnight wear.  My sports doctor advised me to ONLY wear overnight stuff when in constant pain for my Plantar Faciitis or Tendinitis, which I have not had to do for a long time now thank goodness.  Just wanted to point that out.

Side View

My Bottom Line:
I found no discomfort in everyday wear, only wonderful support.  I felt the support enough I will continue to see if I can wear them when I run.  I found the folks at The X Brace nice and receptive to my feedback, they truly care about this product and helping athletes of all levels stay on their feet.  As someone with lingering issues, I will continue to regularly wear my my braces with everyday shoes and see if I can find the sweet spot in my short training runs.  I also LOVED support without my feet getting hot.

Keep in mind, I am not a doctor and individual results could vary, this review is based on my experience. We all have different feet and gaits you know BUT as someone who has suffered through foot pain I surely would recommend this product to anyone who needs some support.  If you are having serious issues, please see a doctor, that has always been the key to my recovery in bad flare ups and I found my doctors open to me trying things on the market to see what works for me.
 

 
Want to try out The X Brace?  
The kind folks at The X Brace have given me 4 sets to giveaway to my readers!  SO here is how it will work…… enter the Rafflecopter below, and I will one by one select a lucky recipient, the sizes I have are different, so first pick will get first choice of size, and 2nd winner will get their choice of size.  If your size is not available, I can send you an X Brace Bracelet as a thanks for entering.  Open to US Residents 18 or older only.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Julie @RunWalkRepeat
Follow Me
Latest posts by Julie @RunWalkRepeat (see all)

About Julie @RunWalkRepeat

Wife, Mom, Southerner, Former Cubicle Dweller, Sting Fanatic and Reluctant Runner. I got started on family a little later in life than most and run for my health. A fan of Food, Entertainment, Travel, Galloway Running and Disney, I like to find the fun in all things in life.

Comments

  2. Laurel C says

    Oh gosh I’ve suffered from such bad foot (and body) pain throughout the years. I’m so curious to try this!!

    • Julie Franklin says

      Oh no! Yep, as you get up in milage its hard for me not to slow it down which was a huge problem the first time I got PF. Good luck in the giveaway AND in your training!

  10. Lisa says

    I have some mild foot pain that luckily seems to have gotten better by rolling with a lacrosse ball. But I’d still love to try the X Brace.

  14. Lauren Graback says

    I’m so glad you posted a review of the X Brace! I’ve been looking at their site for a while, hoping to help out my flat feet. I have to admit I’m somewhat skeptical that a $30 brace could help me more than my orthotics (which cost an ungodly amount). I’d love to try it out though!

    • Julie Franklin says

      Its different than the orthotics I have – not custom, which I only use in my running shoes and Ugg type boots. I could def feel the support of my foot and my heel. Its different and I liked if I wanted to slip on some slippers or go barefoot around the house, I could in these. My feet have been from really bad – wearing a night boot for Plantars to just tight. I have a whole arsenal of stuff and I really liked these.

  17. Amy says

    I abused my feet with too many high heels when I was younger, and now I’m paying for it. This looks awesome!

    • Julie Franklin says

      My mom had really bad feet – heels and just I think it runs in our family! I think these are worth trying for anyone who needs a little something. VERY simple and lightweight. Great product. Good luck!

  19. Debi says

    Oh, man. This looks so hopeful. I sprained my ankle while running 12 weeks ago and am just now getting back. However, the awkwardness of 12 weeks of walking/running funny has led to achilles tendonitis. No fun in the midst of marathon training!

  20. Summer I says

    I’ve dealt with overpronation my whole life! I have to have good arch support or I will be in pain from my arch all the way up to my knee!

  22. Kelli Ball says

    Would love to try this as I too suffer from the horrible plantar fascitis – luckily, inserts have helped greatly but do not work with all of my shoes. Hoping the x brace are useable with all of my shoes, not just tennis and clogs.

  25. Heather says

    I had Plantar Faciitis so bad last year that I could barely walk. A cortisone shot was the only thing that helped. I have noticed in the last few weeks that my feet are hurting again in the morning and that it might be starting back up. I have spent a lot of money on things to help to no avail. I really don’t look forward to the constant pain again. It would be great if that were something that will help me from getting it again.
    @heatherlas

    • Julie Franklin says

      Good luck Heather. I found its all about shoes and support for me. when its not there, I suffer. I did like these alot…and like you I have tried a ton of stuff.

  27. Kerianne C says

    Since an Achilles injury a couple of years ago, I’m willing to try anything to help reduce pain and keep me running! These look great!!! 🙂